crossbacks

Noun

crossback (plural crossbacks)

1. Two pieces on the back of an item (for attaching or bracing it) which form an "X".
   • The seats are benches with crossbacks; the desks have movable tops, but these are to be replaced by stools and good stationary desks.1876, Lyman Bridges, Report on the Buildings of the Exhibition and on Railroad Structures
2. An "X"-shaped railroad crossing sign.
   • Where the traffic over a railroad crossing consisted of 5 locomotive round-trips weekly and 1,275 motor vehicles daily, the Commission held that public safety required not only standard reflector-type advance and crossback crossing warning signals be erected, but that a member of the train crew...1944, Pennsylvania. Public Utilities Commission, Decisions - Volume 23, page 120
3. (derogatory, offensive) A Catholic.
   • They take everything the priests got and then zzzip." Melnick ran his fingers across his throat. "Sayonara, crossbacks.1986, Paul Zalis, Who is the River: Getting Lost and Found in the Amazon and Other Places
4. A step in which one leg crosses behind the other.
   • There is a constant crossback movement, first with one foot and then with the other.1957, Beale Fletcher, How to improve your tap dancing
5. A play in which the player with the ball crosses to one side of the field and then doubles back to the other.
   • Ruddey made two on a crossback and Reddey was forced along for one., after which Hachah decided to punt, which he did forthwith, the ball alighting in Hart 's arms.1906, The Lafayette Weekly - Volume 33, page 33
6. The measurement from the outer edge of one shoulder blade to the outer edge of the other.
   • The crossback measurements of the Chinese subjects ranged from 35.56-43.18 cm (14.00-17.00 in).2002, Nan Luan, Body cathexis, general satisfaction with garment fit, and exposure to western cultrue of Chinese and Chinesse American women aged 18

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